DISCOVER TETOUAN

1. Roman Era (3rd century BCE – 5th century CE):

• Tétouan was originally established as a settlement in North Africa and later became part of the Roman Empire.
• The area was known as Tamuda and served as a small urban center.
• The Romans built military fortifications and irrigation systems, fostering agricultural and economic growth.

2. After the Fall of the Roman Empire (5th – 7th centuries):

• Urban activity declined, and the area became a small  settlement.
• This period was marked by instability until the Islamic conquests brought the region under unified rule.

3. Islamic Conquest (7th – 8th centuries):

• The region became part of the Islamic state, and the local population converted to Islam.

4. Era of the Almoravids and Almohads (11th – 13th centuries):

• Small fortifications were built to protect the area from external invasions.
• The region became a strategic passage .

5. Portuguese Invasions and the Destruction of Tétouan (1437):

• Tétouan was heavily attacked and completely destroyed by the Portuguese due to its strategic coastal location for the islamic country.
• The city was left largely abandoned after these invasions, with only minimal fortifications remaining.

6. Reconstruction by the Andalusians (Late 15th century):

• In 1484, the city was rebuilt by Andalusian Moriscos fleeing the Spanish Inquisition.
• The Moriscos gave Tétouan its distinctive Andalusian character in architecture and culture.
• The city became an important cultural and commercial hub with a thriving port.

7. The Golden Age (17th – 18th centuries):

• Tétouan flourished under Sultan Moulay Ismail’s rule, becoming a key trading center.
• Fortified walls and monumental gates were constructed, many of which still stand today.
• The city played a significant role in Mediterranean commerce.

8. Spanish Protectorate Period (1912 – 1956):

• Tétouan became the capital of the Spanish Protectorate in northern Morocco and served as the administrative center for the entire northern region during this period.
• The city underwent significant development in its infrastructure, with the Spanish authorities modernizing key facilities such as roads, schools, hospitals, and administrative buildings. This transformation made
• Tétouan the most developed city in northern Morocco at the time.
  Its neighborhoods were characterized by a modern Spanish architectural style, creating a unique blend of Moroccan and European heritage.
• Tétouan remained a prominent cultural and administrative hub, playing a crucial role in the political and economic life of northern Morocco throughout this era.

9. Post-Independence Era (1956 – Present):

• After Morocco’s independence, Tétouan was reintegrated into the unified Moroccan state.
• The city maintained its unique Andalusian identity while modernizing its infrastructure and economy.